Use your references correctly

After finding the thumbnails that you like or think will work best (three different ones would be good), start to work up a rough comp for each. These will become rough sketches that you’ll show the art director. Now is the time to take any photo references to help inform your drawing and, more importantly, the lighting of the scene and characters. Don’t skimp on this part, and don’t just find something online that’s close, either. Take your time to set up a photo shoot with either a professional model, a friend or yourself. I often just use friends and myself for these reference shoots.

Reference is important, but remember it’s there to serve your vision of the illustration and not for you to slavishly copy. I like to think of reference as suggestions and some cool answers to topics that I was unfamiliar with.